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Life after medication / levetiracetam
Fri, 12/27/2019 - 07:51Topic: Medication Issues
I’ve been phasing off medication after 5-6 years on Keppra / other brands of levetiracetam. There are lots of posts online about side effects *while* phasing off, but not much about what life is like after that last tablet. E.g. the first week, the following few months, do you feel different? Better after stopping medication?
I had my last one a few days ago and not feeling anything...in a way I was secretly hoping I’d feel better in general - e.g. clearer head, less tired, etc. Clearly the main thing is not having anymore fits...
Comments
Hi, I am new to this forum,
Submitted by SAMMYBELLE75 on Wed, 2020-02-26 - 05:16
Hi, I am new to this forum, but just wanted to comment on your post. I have been medication free for six weeks after being on Epilem for twenty five years. I was reduced off medication over six months on doctors advice. For the first week, I did feel awful, headaches, extreme tiredness and just not being able to think clearly, even worse than usual. Six weeks in, I do feel a bit better, although not as much as I had hoped, but I know it is still early days. I do feel a bit less tired and a bit clearer headed but not massively so. I do feel anxious though.
Hi, Thank you for posting.
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2019-12-27 - 09:04
Hi, Thank you for posting. Treatment and how the body may react to certain taking or stopping medications varies for each individual. It’s important that you’re following up with your healthcare team to review this further and if you experience any changes in seizure types,frequency, behaviors, moods and symptoms. To learn more about stopping medication please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/stopping-medicationIt may be helpful to keep a journal or diary. My Seizure Diary:https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, setting reminders,managing medications & side effects, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. Additionally, you may always to contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline